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Growing Organic Brandywine Black Slicer Tomatoes in the Vegetable Garden

Around eight weeks before the last spring frost, use Minute Soil Coco Coir or another well-draining potting soil to start your seedlings. Plant 2-3 seeds in each cell and bury them about a quarter inch deep. Seeds can easily get washed away by heavy watering, so use a gentle watering can or mister hose attachment to water the seeds and keep them moist until germination. The seedlings should be kept warm and will emerge in 7-10 days. When they break the soil surface, promptly move them to direct sunlight or provide a grow light. They should receive at least 8 hours of direct light and between 8 and 16 hours of darkness.

Once the seedlings have grown to reach about one inch tall, thin them so that there is only the strongest seedling per cell. Then, when they have developed two true leaves, fertilize with a mild fertilizer. When the seedlings have grown to fill the cell with their roots, transplant them into 4-inch pots to continue growing. Around two weeks before their predicted transplant date, begin hardening them off. Do this by gradually leaving them outdoors for a few hours daily. Add a few more hours each day, but keep them indoors at night and if temperatures dip. Once temperatures are consistently around 70 F, transplant the seedlings outdoors. Tomato plants are warm weather lovers and should be protected from temperatures below 50 F; use garden quilts, cloches, cold frames, or other methods.

Provide Brandywine with loamy, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Adding compost to the soil is a great way to increase water retention and nutrient density. The tomato plants must receive full sun and warm temperatures. Adding a calcium powder at the time of transplantation will reduce blossom end rot. When transplanting, remove all the leaves but the top 2-3 sets and bury the plant so that only the reserved leaves are above the soil. This will encourage lots of root development. Given the right environment, tomato plants, unlike other plants, can sprout roots from anywhere along their stem if buried. Apply an even fertilizer at the time of transplantation.

Throughout the season, conduct maintenance pruning by removing suckers and bottom leaves. Doing so allows the plant to focus on fruit. Tomato plants must receive full sun throughout the season to thrive. Fertilize once again at mid-season. Try to water them in the morning to reduce evaporation and water waste. Avoid getting water on the leaves

Harvesting Brandywine Black Organic Potato Leaf Tomatoes

This indeterminate variety will produce fruit until the plant dies. When the tomatoes are ripe, they should be picked promptly; this avoids overloading the plant and encourages more fruit. Harvest the fruit when it is reddish brown, shiny, and firm. Gently twisting the tomato to remove it from the calyx is the least invasive form of harvesting, but the tomatoes can be snipped off if needed. If it is predicted that a frost will soon kill your plant, but it still has fruit on it, harvest all the fruit, regardless of ripeness, and continue ripening them indoors.

About Organic Brandywine Black Slicer Tomato Garden Seeds

Brandywine Black Organic tomatoes develop a gorgeous dark exterior and a succulent, fruity, flavorful interior. Their deep fruity flavor makes them perfect for cooking or even a quick bite.

Potato leaf tomato plants have smooth edges rather than classic serration. The potato leaf variety adds a bit of extra shade for these oval-shaped beauties during their growth period.

Suitable for growing in garden plots, raised beds, and greenhouses, this king of yellow tomatoes is also resistant to Early Blight and Fulvia Blight. They can be grown in containers but, provide a minimum of 20 gallons of soil.

Black Brandywine was first listed in the Seed Savers Exchange in 1999. Although it is unclear, it is surmised that it originated from an accidental cross of Brandywine with a regular leaf "purple/black" tomato, such as Cherokee Purple or Black Tula.

Brandywine tomatoes are indeterminate. This means that they grow and produce fruit continuously throughout the season until they are killed by frost. They are heavy-yielders yet need support, such as a tomato cage.

Stories From Our Gardeners

"Brandywine black is particularly delicious when eaten fresh in a caprese salad with marinated mozzarella and fresh basil."

- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

Other Resources

• Guide to Tomatoes

Organic Brandywine Black Slicer Tomato Seeds Per Package:

• 300 mg packet - Approximately 65 Seeds
• .25 oz - Approximately 1,700 Seeds
• 1 oz - Approximately 6,800 Seeds
• 4 oz - Approximately 27,200 Seeds
• 1 lb - Approximately 108,800 Seeds

Non-GMO Brandywine Black Slicer Tomato seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.